Encyclopedia
Autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features (ADPEAF) is an uncommon form of epilepsy that runs in families. This disorder causes seizures usually characterized by sound-related (auditory) symptoms such as buzzing, humming, or ringing.
- genetic conditions
1. Introduction
Some people experience more complex sounds during a seizure, such as specific voices or music, or changes in the volume of sounds. Some people with ADPEAF suddenly become unable to understand language before losing consciousness during a seizure. This inability to understand speech is known as receptive aphasia. Less commonly, seizures may cause visual hallucinations, a disturbance in the sense of smell, a feeling of dizziness or spinning (vertigo), or other symptoms affecting the senses.
Seizures associated with ADPEAF usually begin in adolescence or young adulthood. They may be triggered by specific sounds, such as a ringing telephone or speech, but in most cases the seizures do not have any recognized triggers. In most affected people, seizures are infrequent and effectively controlled with medication.
Most people with ADPEAF have seizures described as simple partial seizures, which do not cause a loss of consciousness. These seizures are thought to begin in a part of the brain called the lateral temporal lobe. In some people, seizure activity may spread from the lateral temporal lobe to affect other regions of the brain. If seizure activity spreads to affect the entire brain, it causes a loss of consciousness, muscle stiffening, and rhythmic jerking. Episodes that begin as partial seizures and spread throughout the brain are known as secondarily generalized seizures.
2. Frequency
This condition appears to be uncommon, although its prevalence is unknown.
3. Causes
Mutations in the LGI1 gene cause ADPEAF. This gene provides instructions for making a protein called Lgi1 or epitempin, which is found primarily in nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. Although researchers have proposed several functions for this protein, its precise role in the brain remains uncertain.
Mutations in the LGI1 gene likely disrupt the function of epitempin. It is unclear how the altered protein leads to seizure activity in the brain.
LGI1 mutations have been identified in about half of all families diagnosed with ADPEAF. In the remaining families, the cause of the condition is unknown. Researchers are searching for other genetic changes that may underlie the condition.
4. Inheritance
This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered LGI1 gene in each cell is sufficient to raise the risk of developing epilepsy. About two-thirds of people who inherit a mutation in this gene will develop seizures. In most cases, an affected person has one affected parent and other relatives with the condition.
5. Other Names for This Condition
- ADLTE
- ADPEAF
- Autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy
- Epilepsy, partial, with auditory features
- ETL1
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/autosomal-dominant-partial-epilepsy-with-auditory-features
References
- Brodtkorb E, Gu W, Nakken KO, Fischer C, Steinlein OK. Familial temporal lobe epilepsy with aphasic seizures and linkage to chromosome 10q22-q24. Epilepsia.2002 Mar;43(3):228-35.
- Michelucci R, Nobile C. Autosomal Dominant Epilepsy with Auditory Features.2007 Apr 20 [updated 2019 Jan 10]. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, WallaceSE, Bean LJH, Stephens K, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle(WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2020. Available fromhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1537/
- Michelucci R, Poza JJ, Sofia V, de Feo MR, Binelli S, Bisulli F, Scudellaro E,Simionati B, Zimbello R, D'Orsi G, Passarelli D, Avoni P, Avanzini G, Tinuper P, Biondi R, Valle G, Mautner VF, Stephani U, Tassinari CA, Moschonas NK, Siebert R,Lopez de Munain A, Perez-Tur J, Nobile C. Autosomal dominant lateral temporalepilepsy: clinical spectrum, new epitempin mutations, and genetic heterogeneityin seven European families. Epilepsia. 2003 Oct;44(10):1289-97.
- Ottman R, Winawer MR, Kalachikov S, Barker-Cummings C, Gilliam TC, Pedley TA, Hauser WA. LGI1 mutations in autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditoryfeatures. Neurology. 2004 Apr 13;62(7):1120-6.
- Winawer MR, Martinelli Boneschi F, Barker-Cummings C, Lee JH, Liu J, Mekios C,Gilliam TC, Pedley TA, Hauser WA, Ottman R. Four new families with autosomaldominant partial epilepsy with auditory features: clinical description andlinkage to chromosome 10q24. Epilepsia. 2002 Jan;43(1):60-7.
- Winawer MR, Ottman R, Hauser WA, Pedley TA. Autosomal dominant partialepilepsy with auditory features: defining the phenotype. Neurology. 2000 Jun13;54(11):2173-6.
